What is the difference between CPT codes and ICD codes?
Asked by: Iliana Batz | Last update: July 20, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (25 votes)
What is the difference between CPT coding and ICD coding?
CPT® codes, or Current Procedural Terminology codes, are a standardized system used to describe the specific services and procedures provided to a patient. Unlike ICD-10 codes, which identify the diagnosis or medical condition, CPT® codes focus on documenting the what—that is, the treatment or service delivered.
What's the difference between ICD-9 codes and CPT codes?
The ICD-9-CM codes are for the disorder or disorders you are treating while the CPT codes are for reporting the procedure or procedures you performed.
What is the difference between CPT codes and C codes?
Key Differences between HCPCS and CPT
CPT codes are used to report medical, surgical, and diagnostic services performed by healthcare professionals. HCPCS codes are used to report medical procedures and services to Medicare, Medicaid, and other health insurance programs.
What is an example of a CPT code?
Here are some examples of CPT codes: 99397 can be used for a preventive exam if you are over age 65. 90658 can be used for the administration of a flu shot. 90716 can be used for the administration of the chickenpox vaccine (varicella).
ICD 10 & CPT Codes: Basic Overview
What are ICD and CPT codes?
While CPT codes are similar to ICD-10 codes, CPT codes identify services rendered, whereas ICD-10 codes represent patient diagnoses.
What does CPT mean in codes?
What is a CPT® code? The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes offer doctors and health care professionals a uniform language for coding medical services and procedures to streamline reporting, increase accuracy and efficiency.
What is the difference between a CPT code and diagnostic code?
CPT codes are used to describe the procedures that a provider performs, while DX codes are used to describe the diagnosis of a patient's condition.
What is an ICD diagnosis code?
International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) is a system used by physicians to classify and code all diagnoses, symptoms and procedures for claims processing. It was chiefly designed by the World Health Organization, with the U.S. version being created by the Centers for Medicar.
What is the difference between CPT and ICD PCS codes?
ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes provide the reason for seeking health care; ICD-10-PCS procedure codes tell what inpatient treatment and services the patient got; CPT (HCPCS Level I) codes describe outpatient services and procedures; and providers generally use HCPCS (Level II) codes for equipment, drugs, and supplies for ...
What are the two types of ICD codes?
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is a standardized system used to code causes of death (mortality) data from death certificates. The International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification (ICD-CM) is a standardized system used to code diseases and medical conditions (morbidity) data.
Where can I get a list of CPT codes?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services offer a free search (CPT code lookup) for RVU for every CPT code. Users can also request a CPT/RVU Data File license from the AMA to easily import codes and descriptions into existing claims and medical billing systems.
Do hospitals still use ICD-9 codes?
On October 1, 2014, there will be only limited code updates to ICD-10 code sets to capture new technologies and diagnoses as required by section 503(a) of Pub. L. 108–173. There will be no updates to ICD-9-CM, as it will no longer be used for reporting.
Is ICD a procedure code?
ICD-10-PCS is a procedure classification published by the United States for classifying procedures performed in hospital inpatient health care settings.
What is the difference between a CPT code and an ICD-9 code Why would you need both?
To differentiate between these coding systems, think of it this way: CPT codes describe what you do, and ICD-9 codes describe why you do it.
Which ICD-10 code is used for acute appendicitis?
2025 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K35. 80: Unspecified acute appendicitis.
What are CPT codes?
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes provide a uniform nomenclature for coding medical procedures and services. Medical CPT codes are critical to streamlining reporting and increasing accuracy and efficiency, as well as for administrative purposes such as claims processing and developing guid ...Read More.
What is ICD code example?
For example, E10. 9 stands for type 1 diabetes and E11. 9 is type 2 diabetes.
What ICD-10 codes cannot be used as primary diagnosis?
As provided by ICD-10-CM guidelines, inappropriate primary diagnosis codes include but are not limited to: External Cause Codes of Morbidity (V, W, X, or Y codes ICD-10-CM): Describes an environmental event causing an injury, not the nature of the injury, and therefore should not be used as a principal diagnosis.
Are ICD codes used for billing?
Learning more about ICD codes can help you better manage your own care or that of a loved one and can become quite important if you're trying to sort out a medical pre-approval or billing issue with your health insurance provider.
Are CPT codes only for outpatient?
CPT codes are used throughout the U.S. for coding in outpatient settings and for professional services provided in inpatient settings. The VHA adopted the national coding rules around 2000 for outpatient coding; national standards for coding inpatient care were implemented earlier.
What is the CPT code 99214?
CPT® code 99214: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes.
What is the difference between CPT and ICD codes?
CPT codes are categorized based on the medical treatment and procedures administered. ICD codes are categorized based on body systems or conditions. It's common to use multiple interventions or procedures during a client session, which can make CPT codes more intricate than ICD codes.
Who determines CPT code?
The responsibility to update or modify code descriptors, coding rules, and guidelines for the CPT code set lies with the AMA CPT Editorial Panel, authorized by the AMA Board of Trustees.
What codes are the most frequently used codes in most medical offices?
Final answer: Evaluation and Management codes are the most frequently used codes in medical offices, as they pertain to patient evaluations and treatments. These codes facilitate accurate documentation and billing for healthcare services.